In a hearing earlier this spring, John B. Berven, left, listens to attorney Mark Hendershott of Sutherlin, while Berven's wife, Samantha J. Haskinson, stands nearby. The two were taken into custody on March 7 in connection with a child abuse investigation involving their three children and another child in their care. World Photo by Madeline Steege

COQUILLE - Inside the Coos County Courthouse, they call it Family Court.

This is the place a judge settles divorces, sets child support decrees, hears child custody issues. Ultimately, this is the place where many families break apart. And it's these cases few people ever hear about.

"Your lawyers tell me you're going to plead guilty today to four separate crimes," said Coos County Circuit Judge Martin Stone.

Standing before him were 22-year-old Samantha J. Haskinson and 32-year-old John B. Berven. They were shackled. Ankle chains kept their feet close together, while chains looped around their waists kept their hands tied to their stomachs.

The Greenacres couple had been in the Coos County jail since early March, charged with starving and abusing an 8-year-old girl in their care and withholding medical care for their two toddlers and infant.

They each were charged with three counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment, two counts of second-degree assault, one count seeking a departure from sentencing allegations for stricter sentences and one count of attempted murder.

Monday afternoon, the couple cut a deal with the Coos County District Attorney's office.

"By pleading guilty you give up the right to remain silent, ..." Stone told them.

In the end, Haskinson and Berven pleaded guilty to four charges, including:

€ criminal mistreatment - three counts for withholding medical attention from their three children; and

€ second-degree assault - one count for causing serious physical injury to Ina Rose by failing to provide her with food, physical care, supervision and medical care.

In return, the court dismissed one charge of second-degree assault, the attempted murder charge, and two other charges. Haskinson and Berven were ushered out of the court shortly after, but it won't be their last appearance.

Second-degree assault is a Measure 11 crime, mandating a maximum of 70 months in the state penitentiary with a maximum fine of $125,000. Their sentencing is scheduled for Monday, June 13.

At Monday's hearing, Assistant District Attorney Coleen Cerda asked Judge Stone not to require the children's presence in court with Haskinson and Berven that day.

"I would assume they not be in the court with them. They were very traumatized by these crimes," she said.

Judge Stone concurred.

- City Editor Elise Hamner